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Emergency fund helps Bay students in need

ESCANABA — A fund supported by Bay College employees and area residents has helped Bay students deal with emergency needs. According to Director of Financial Aid Ruth Carlson, the college’s student emergency fund has been in place for decades.

“I would say it has to be … more than 20 years that we have had a student emergency fund,” she said.

Fund dollars are distributed to Bay College students in need on a case-by-case basis.

“If the student need can be met by that emergency fund, then we will look at helping them through that fund,” Carlson said.

Student needs supported by the fund in the past have included dental care, car repairs, textbooks, tuition costs, food and transportation.

Carlson noted the student emergency fund typically receives between $2,000 and $3,000 in funding per year. As a result, it is able to help about 10 to 15 students annually.

Despite these limitations, Carlson encouraged Bay students in need to contact the financial aid office or their advisors.

“We might not be able to help everyone, but we can only help those (who) are asking,” she said.

Vice President of College Advancement Kim Carne said the Bay College Foundation is responsible for taking in funding for the emergency fund.

“We give the community members and employees opportunities to donate,” she said.

One of these opportunities is Bay College’s annual campaign, which Carne said takes place in November and December. People have the option of giving to the emergency fund through the campaign.

Other causes annual campaign donors can choose to support include the college’s scholarships, food pantry and arts and athletics programs.

“It kind of depends where people’s passions are,” Carne said.

Financial donations to the college are accepted year-round, Carne said.

“They can give to the college at any time … we just solicit at the end of the year,” she said.

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